Blues singer bringing big-time sounds to club

Sandra Wright and Italian Trumpet player Santucci to play with Chris Bakriges.

Sandra Wright will perform with the Chris Bakriges trio at the Mo' Jazz Cafe on Saturday evening, January 1. Wright began singing at age four and continued through school and church, eventually training to be an opera singer at Tennessee State University. Born and raised in Memphis, TN, Wright remembers the blues and barbecue of Beale Street; her first cousin was Blues legend Memphis Slim. While attending TSU, Wright was encouraged to enter a talent contest by fellow student "Sweet" Charles Sherrelle (James Brown's bandleader) and won singing rhythm and blues. After college Wright hit the road with the Canned Souls and in 1974, she recorded an album for Stax/Truth records, "Wounded Woman."

After Stax was lost to the IRS, Wright sang at the New Modern Era Club in Nashville for 17 years. She joined Clarence "Gatemouth" Brown's band touring the US and Canada in the 1980s. Wright moved to Vermont in 1992.

In Italy, trumpet player Santucci's name is synonymous with jazz. He has toured with Lionel Hampton, Benny Golson, Kenny Clarke, Tony Scott and Archie Shepp. He recently recorded the soundtrack for the film "The Legend of 1900" on Sony Classic. Santucci will perform with pianist Christopher Bakriges and his trio.

The Mo' Jazz Cafe is located on South Street near the intersection of routes 9 and 100 beneath the Wilmington Pub. Doors open at 7 pm and the music begins at 9 pm. There is no cover charge. For more information, call (802) 464-2280.